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- Joined: Mon Aug 27, 2012 9:02 pm
Niekro didnt have the great winning % due to his teams...the Braves sucked...wins are largely based on the players around you. If Phil had one 1 more game a year in his 20 seasons with the Braves this discussion would not be taking place. I can promise you the Braves players of the 70's and 80's around Phil lost him more then 1 game a season.
Phil also played in the launching pad thus his era is slightly elevated
Of course Phil didnt have the control others did...he threw the most confounding pitch ever thrown...heck his C couldn't handle it 50% of the time.....but to say he did not intimidate batters is just not correct....hitters would show up to the games with "migraines" that day and have the manager take them out so as not to face Knucksie and F up their stroke for a week. Thats intimidation on a whole different level.
IMO...Drysdale is overrated.....had a very good career( very good 5-6 year run) on winning teams in a Hollywood town and dated beautiful ladies and got good press. IMO he is in the Doc Gooden/Jim Bunning/Jack Morris/Smoltz bracket .....tough winning pitchers who dont make the top 10
Phil also played in the launching pad thus his era is slightly elevated
Of course Phil didnt have the control others did...he threw the most confounding pitch ever thrown...heck his C couldn't handle it 50% of the time.....but to say he did not intimidate batters is just not correct....hitters would show up to the games with "migraines" that day and have the manager take them out so as not to face Knucksie and F up their stroke for a week. Thats intimidation on a whole different level.
IMO...Drysdale is overrated.....had a very good career( very good 5-6 year run) on winning teams in a Hollywood town and dated beautiful ladies and got good press. IMO he is in the Doc Gooden/Jim Bunning/Jack Morris/Smoltz bracket .....tough winning pitchers who dont make the top 10